locked to teddy and bill
Still worried, but also determined, Teddy did his best to avoid actual confrontation with another witch or wizard. Despite his resolve to help and kill that blasted reptile, he really didn't think he had it in him to kill another being. He also knew if it came down to it, he'd have to. His father (or uncle for that matter) could no longer protect him. He had to be an adult. He ducked away from a stinging curse, narrowly missing it by some struck of luck. He also pushed his father away when Angus attempted to get him to go inside. However, the pair didn't have time to argue as a Death Eater zeroed in on both. Angus quickly pushed Teddy out of the way, causing the boy to fall on the ground. Sill, used to obeying, he fled at his father's command. He wasn't sure where he was running to, but when he nearly tripped over what he *thought* was a small garden hose, he knew he had to stop running.
Shite. Salazar. Fuck. Teddy's heart was pounding as he regarded the thing that seemed to be glaring right at him. That was impossible right? Teddy didn't know, but he did know he had to do something. What the hell? Do you use the killing curse on a snake? Does that even work? Unsure, Teddy raised his wand and shouted the first thing that came to mind --- a severing curse. He watched in horror as the poor thing sliced open, blood and only Salazar knew what else pouring out.
Bill was only feet away when he heard a voice that sounded like Teddy's shout the curse meant to sever. Teddy Nott severing a human being? It seemed almost unthinkable, and he fired a stunning spell at the Death Eater he was facing before whirling around to see what had happened.
Rushing over, he joined the younger man, his eyes wide when he saw the mess at his feet. "What in bloody hell is that?" he exclaimed, covering his mouth with his hand as he gaped.
"A horcrux. Was a snake." Teddy looked sadly at the thing that once moved. It might not have been human, but still. Suddenly, he wished he was the heartless Slytherin most imagined he should be.
A Horcrux? That ruddy thing? It was a snake, for Merlin's sake and--oh. Right. Slytherin. Snake. Bugger. Bill rested one hand gently on Teddy's shoulder, then that grip tightened as he yanked him out of the way of a flying green curse. And Bill knew by then that green was never good. "Oi, mate, I'm sorry you had to do that," he murmured, glancing in the direction where the snake lay.
It was what the third time that day that someone else had saved him? Still, Teddy *had* managed to kill something at least. An important something at that. "Me too, " he whispered, glancing at Bill. "Thanks."
"It's going to be okay," Bill said softly, ruffling Teddy's hair lightly. "I just...it's almost over, Teddy." For better or for worse, dammit, it was almost over. And it had to be for better. Damien needed to grow up in a world where his parents weren't forced to do Voldemort's bidding.
Teddy was touched by the gentle movement and his small smile proved that. "Right. Let's just hopeā¦" He trailed off. There was no need to finish that thought.